Siemens Mobility won a light rail vehicle (LRV) contract from Portland, Ore.'s TriMet to replace 26 Type-1 vehicles with new low-floor S700s jointly developed by TriMet and Siemens Mobility.

The contract includes options for up to 60 additional LRVs, which would accommodate additional vehicles needed for further service expansions, such as the MAX Red Line Extension to Fair Complex, and the Southwest Corridor.

With the completion of this new purchase, TriMet's LRV fleet will be a fully Siemens Mobility fleet — with the first delivery expected in 2021.

TriMet has opted to install the latest Internet-of-Things (IoT) framework to what will now be their Type 6 vehicle. These rail digitalization capabilities are applied for increasing efficiencies in operations and maintenance, increasing value sustainably over their lifecycle, and ultimately resulting in peak economic and passenger experience, according to the company.

The S700 cars are the latest advancement of the S70 low-floor vehicle platform designed and manufactured by Siemens Mobility at its solar-powered facility in Sacramento, Calif. They are characterized by an open and spacious low-floor interior. The wide aisleway will make the vehicle easier to traverse into and around for passengers, bicycles, and wheelchairs, improving passenger experience, according to Siemens. There are also energy efficiency features like LED lighting, which not only utilize less energy, but also last longer.